DENVER, CO, April 11, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- via NEWMEDIAWIRE – Phoenix Life Sciences International Limited (OTC: PLSI) (“Phoenix Life” or the “Company”), an adaptive healthcare solutions company, today announced the launch of The Global Health Initiative (“GHI”, the “Foundation”) and the appointment of Dr. Kylie O’Brien as Chief Executive Officer of the Foundation, commencing the next chapter of the founders’ vision of the Company.
The Global Health Initiative is an independent non-profit foundation and public charity that combines significant investment, research partnership and a commitment by the founders of Phoenix Life to The Giving Pledge, investing 50% of their holdings in the Company and their future dividends to philanthropic support for creating change in global health. The Giving Pledge is a commitment by the world's wealthiest individuals and families to dedicate the majority of their wealth to giving back.
“We see The Global Health Initiative as an opportunity to set an example for others from the cannabis industry to give back to their communities, research, education and to provide access to those in need,” said Phoenix Life CEO Martin Tindall. “We are proud to be the founding benefactor to create The Global Health Initiative to be a catalyst for change.”
As part of launching The Global Health Initiative, Kylie O’Brien, Ph.D. has been appointed as Chief Executive Officer of the foundation. O’Brien holds a Master of Public Health, Bachelor of Applied Science in Chinese Medicine, Bachelor of Science in Optometry, Graduate Certificate of Tertiary Education and a Ph.D. in Chinese Medicine. As an advocate for medical cannabis, she developed Australia’s first course in medical cannabis to receive Category 1 Continuing Professional Development points with the Royal Australasian College of General Practitioners.
O’Brien also created the pathway for Australian doctors to become authorized prescribers of medicinal cannabis under the Therapeutic Goods Administration’s (“TGA”) Authorized Prescriber Scheme. Recently, she was appointed to the TGA’s Advisory Committee for Complementary Medicines by the Australian Federal Minister of Health and reappointed to the Australian government’s Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency’s Expert Panel.
She has a reputation as a highly-regarded international leader among medical professionals. She serves as a Council Member for the Specialty Committee of Cancer Rehabilitation and was also on the Standardization Committee of the World Federation of Chinese Medicine Societies. She has spoken about integrative oncology at medical conferences in Australia, China, and Turkey. She was invited to a roundtable which included members of the Malaysian government to discuss policy for decriminalizing hemp and introduce it as an agricultural crop within the country. Her first book, A Clinician’s Guide to Integrative Oncology, was published by Springer in the US in 2017.
“I have dedicated my career to raising awareness for treatment alternatives within the international health community and look forward to helping expand the global knowledge on medicinal cannabis while helping communities in need gain access to it,” said Global Health Initiative CEO Kylie O’Brien, Ph.D. “I’m very humbled by the Tindall family and Phoenix Life’s generosity and I’m excited to see how we can mutually benefit each other’s efforts.”
“Cannabis is currently undervalued and under-researched in today’s healthcare systems and we hope to be able to form meaningful relationships with companies like Phoenix Life and change the way people utilize it as a viable healthcare treatment option,” concluded Dr. O’Brien.
About The Giving Pledge
The Giving Pledge is a campaign to encourage wealthy people to contribute a majority of their wealth to philanthropic causes. As of 2019, the pledge has 187 signatories, either individuals or couples, from 22 countries. Most of the signatories of the pledge are billionaires, and their pledges total over $365 billion.
To learn more about The Giving Pledge, please visit https://givingpledge.org.
About The Global Health Initiative
The Global Health Initiative is a public charity organized in the United States in Colorado and in Australia. The organization’s efforts are focused on addressing local and global health and social issues affecting children and families. By developing strategic partnerships with government and health officials, wellness organizations and supportive community members, the Global Health Initiative aims to create a foundation for community, research, education, access, training and empowerment.
To learn more about The Global Health Initiative, please visit http://ghi.life
About Phoenix Life Sciences International Limited
Phoenix Life Sciences International Limited is an adaptive healthcare solutions company. Our business is to advance research and integrate programs and manufacturing of products that target and treat diabetes, pain, cancer, and address psychological, neurological, autoimmune and sleep disorders. We strive to create partnerships and integrate these programs for human health into communities worldwide as part of our Global Health Initiative.
To learn more about Phoenix Life Sciences International, please visit https://phoenixlife.co/
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Information contained in this press release regarding Phoenix Life Sciences International, Limited and its subsidiaries, (the “Companies”) may constitute forward-looking statements or statements which may be deemed or construed to be forward-looking statements. The words “plan”, “forecast”, “anticipates”, “estimate”, “project”, “intend”, “expect”, “should”, “believe,” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve, and are subject to, known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which could cause the Company’s actual results, performance (financial or operating) or achievements to differ from the future results, performance (financial or operating) or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. The risks, uncertainties and other factors are more fully discussed in the Company’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. All forward-looking statements attributable to the Companies herein are expressly qualified in their entirety by the above-mentioned cautionary statement. The Companies disclaim any obligation to update forward-looking statements contained in this press release, except as may be required by law.
FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION (FDA) DISCLOSURE
These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA and therefore the products sold by Phoenix Life Sciences International are not available in the U.S.
LEGAL DISCLOSURE
Phoenix Life Sciences International does not sell or distribute any products in the United States that are in violation of the United States Controlled Substances Act (US.CSA). This company does not grow, sell, and distribute cannabis-based products in the United States and is solely involved with the legal distribution of medical cannabis-based products within certain international markets outside of the United States.